The Simpson Multi-Purpose Room became a melting pot of cultural and religious discourse Thursday as six selected panelists recounted their interfaith experiences in front of a diverse assortment of approximately 100 Loyola students and faculty.
Appropriately titled "From Jerusalem to Mecca to Calcutta to Chicago," the event incorporated both a discussion panel and a blend of culinary flavor, ranging from hummus to Turkish pudding. The dialogue provided an opportunity to learn about the customs of five major religious traditions through the perspectives of students representing their respective campus organizations.
"A program like this celebrates what is unique about Loyola University of Chicago," Hillel director Patti Ray said. "Our faith traditions relish celebrating with each other, talking with each other and engaging with one another."
Hillel is Loyola's campus organization for Jewish students. Along with the Muslim Students Association (MSA), the Hindu Students Organization (HSO), the Black Men's Initiative, University Ministry and the Society of Jesus, Thursday's festivities explored several mediums of interfaith communication in hopes of finding common ground.
"Tonight symbolizes harmony and inter-religious, inter-cultural cooperation," office of student diversity program director Bena Mangattukattil said. "So many students have a hunger for this at Loyola. Student groups that represent populations in the world that usually fight one another are coming together to give us hope."
The panel and food was sponsored by the Niagara Foundation and Exelon Corporation. President Michael Garanzini, S.J., initiated the program with the Niagara Foundation to celebrate the way different faith and cultural organizations interact.
The Niagara Foundation is an interfaith chaplain group incorporating approximately 15 Chicago-area schools. The organization seeks to learn about interfaith environments across a variety of campuses.
"At this time in the history of our planet I feel that we are living in the middle of a nightmare of truly horrific daily developments," Kemal Oksuz, the executive director of the foundation, said. "Because of this, tonight's event becomes more meaningful."
The panelists each recognized a need for cooperation through reliving their interfaith experiences.
"There are many areas in the world where religion is a source of conflict," University Ministry member, senior Catherine Hedgebeth, said.
Hedgebeth, a theology major and 2006-07 Evoke Scholar, said "We need to understand each other so that religion can be prophetic in stopping those violent conflicts. We at Loyola are a microcosm of the peace and acceptance we want to see in the world."
In the midst of busy class schedules and a fast-paced urban environment, stereotypes about religion and culture often predispose students to a closeminded outlook on faith. The intercultural mixture stirred together Thursday by representatives from the Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Catholic traditions along with the voices of the Jesuits and non-denominational Christianity, stressed the importance of avoiding such baseless assumptions.
"[This event] shows how people from different countries can be from different religions," sophomore MSA member Khady Diagne said.
Diagne is from Senegal, a country with a 98 percent Muslim population. Her experience at Loyola and with MSA, where the majority of the members are from Pakistan, has offered both the hardships and triumphs associated with being from a distant part of the world.
"Even though I am black, people don't always know that I am Muslim," Diagne said. "Anybody can be [any religion] and these discussions let us break down stereotypes."
By explaining the relationships between six different religious perspectives and formulating answers about unique traditions, collaboration can replace misunderstanding.
"It is important for people to find out about their faith and learn about one another so they can both find common ground and their differences," Eric Styles, S.J., said.
Religion is still a sensitive subject to many students and Thursday's discussion panel provided a chance to opnely transmit idea through individual expressions of faith.
"[This] event brings us to a place that is safe and brings what we are hesitant to talk about to the forefront," Lisette Zaid, the president of Hillel said. "We can take a breath and exhale by gettin to know one and another."
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